Your AA state champion? Central

By David Shelton Senior Writer Moncks Corner – After a pair of six-win seasons in his first two years , Berkeley head football coach Eric Lodge guided the Stags to a 10-3 record last fall. Lodge is hoping and expecting to see continued growth and development in 2026 and recently put his prospective team through spring drills. The purpose of the spring is to identify roles and hopefully find rising talent that can assist either as backups or starters this fall. “Our spring is about evaluating kids, all of them, to see where they fit in,” Lodge said, “Those practices are very important to the growth of the program. We get everyone involved amd work to get them up to speed. Once we get into the summer, we are working hard to get stronger in the weight room along with seven-on-seven stuff.” Lodge says most of the returning experience is on the offensive side and the Stags should be explosive. Henry Rivers , a senior, will be a fourth-year starter and rates as one of the best in the state. Hethres for more than 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, adding 803 rushing yards and 16 more scores. Returning at receiver are John Cleveland, Eli Mitchell and Johnathan Mitchell, who combined for more than 60 receptions last season. Anchoring the running game are returners Lawrence Washington, Bryson McGee and Jesse Brown . That trio will work behind a revamped offensive line but Lodge sees potential in the developing unit up front. “I like our depth at running back and receiver, and of course we have a veteran leader at quarterback,” said Lodge. There are significantly more holes to fill on defense. The Stags lost an all-state tackle and three starting linebackers that were three-year starters. There also are three holes to fill on the back endd. “We have identified some young men who we feel will step in and be solid players for us,” Lodge said. “Replacing the experience is tough but we have some guys who will learn and grow over time. We’re not new to having young guys on the field. The talent is there and there are opportunities for guys to get on the field.”

Expectations are high for Pinewood Prep quarterback Silas Brawner.

By David Shelton Senior Writer Summerville – The last two football seasons have been sub-par for the Cane Bay Cobras but veteran head coach Russell Zehr believes the pieces are in place for a potential resurgence. The Cobras finished the last two seasons with three wins each but did win a region championship in 2024. Zehr and his staff have worked hard in the offseason to develop some up and coming talent. They did so through the weight room and spring practice. “We had a good spring overall,” Zehr said. “We were missing a handful of guys due to track but we had good numbers. We spent a lot of time getting everyone up to speed. It was an opportunity for us to see younger kids that are coming up and find out who can help us this season. We had about 80 kids during the sprng and about 75 of those have been consistent in their workouts over the summer.” The Cobras will have a new quarterback this fall. Zehr says senior Coran Houp e is moving from running back to run the option offense this season. Returning in the backfield are Mayson Samuel and Sam Rolston , with some talented backs coming from the lower levels. The offensive line returns two starters, Isaac Siefken and Eli Taylor . Junior JJ Rose is back as the leader along the defensive front, with ends Devin Cobbs and B rennen Shokes also returning. The linebackers will be new starters with only Jackson Williamson returning with experience. The secondary could be a strength with returners Tyrell Bess, Zion Bryant and Caeden Wilson . The kicking game is a solid strength with senior Aiden Thorne returning. Thorne is a deep threat on kickoffs and field goals. “He’s got a leg and can be a real weapon for us,” Zehr said. Cane Bay participated in weekly 7-on-7 passing league scrimmages during June and will play at The Citadel event in July.

Head football coach at James Island, Jamar McKoy has worked to build his program into one of the more consistent programs in the state.

By David Shelton Senior Writer Hartsville – As he embarks on his 22 nd season as the head football coach at Hartsville High, Jeff Calabrese is anxiously anticipating the upcoming 2026 season. Calabrese, with more than 200 career coaching wins, sys his team has put in good work in the offseason and appears focused on bettering last year’s 7-5 record. “We had a good spring practice, a good offseason all together really,” the coach said. “The numbers were maybe a little down but not far off. We spent a lot of time evaluating every position. If we needed to make a change we did. The focus in the spring and summer is making sure we have the right guys in the right spots. We basically are trying to get everyone on the same page.” Like all the schools in the state, the Red Foxes put in training four days a week from 8:30 to 11 am. Calabrese says this summer has been especially important as four new coaches have joined the program, including new defensive coordinator Neil Smith . “Really excited to have coach Smith. He brings a ton of energy and experience and he has really adapted well here,” Calabrese said. In terms of personnel, the Red Foxes have experience returning in several areas, starting with quarterback. Junior Ford Wallace is back as the starter and continues to develop in his role as a leader on the offense.. Returning at running back is Trace Hillian with CJ Hickmon moving from receiver to the backfield. Anchoring the offensive line is two-time all-region performer Fred Turner . Other returning linemen, who could end up on either side of the ball, include Creighton McKnight, Jake Williams, Jaquan Samuel and Pat Rhode. Rod Cranford returns in the back seven as a third-year starter. Zi’Yon Mason is moving from the secondary to linebacker, as is Jamario Scipio-Bishop. Devaris James and Deon McCall are players to watch in the secondary. “At a school our size, sometimes you have to move some kids around to make it all fit,” Calabrese said. “That’s why the summer is so important, to get those kids a lot of reps, good group to work with. We just need to build some depth.”

By David Shelton Senior Writer Ridgeland – Building a consistently competitive athletic program is tough to do at a small private school, but the coaches and athletes at Thomas Heyward Academy make the most of their opportunities. The 2025-26 school year recently came to an end but before classes ended, the school’s athletic department took some time to honor some of the top performers in athletics from the past year. Track and field is one of the newer and developing sports at Thomas Heyward. The numbers, though limited, are seeing an increase. The most valuable performer award from this spring went to Baylor Bryan and Josh Gibson . Most Improved honors went to Noah Theurer and Alondra Vera. Fisher Thomas received the Golden Club award in golf while Mason Reed received the Rising Star award. Cole Bowen was Most Improved. In softball, Elena Fay was the offensive most valuable player and EK Bowen was the defensive most valuable player. Ollivia Meador as the overall MVP and Brenley Owens earned the Rookie Award. Meador also was the top defensive player in volleyball while Cayleigh Smith was the top offensive player. Presley Ballagh was the team MVP and Lily Gantt was the Rookie of the Year. In baseball, Mackie Bowers was the MVP and Miles Stanley received the Coaches award. Luke Simcox was the top defensive player and Dodge Peeples was the top offensive player. Abigail Kidwell received the Rebel Award in cheerleading and Cadence Graham was tabbed most valuable cheerleader. In football, Tony O’Banner was named the Most Valuable Player for offense and Owen Palazzo earned the award for defense. Peeples was the lineman of the year an Tyler Hyman received the coaches award. Josh Gibson received the Golden Helmet award. Gibson also received the team Leadership award in boys basketball while O’Banner was tabbed as the MVP. Winston Twenge was most improved and Ben Gibson received the defensive award. For Clay Target shooting, Miles Stanley was the Shooter of the Year and Nolan Smith received the Coaches award.

By David Shelton Senior Writer Holly Hill – With state championships in softball and baseball, and a near miss in football, the 2025-26 school year was a productive one for Holly Hill Academy athletics. The school recently honored the top performers from the past athletic season and here are the athletes that earned special awards for their success/ In cheerleading, Madison McIntyre earned the Raider award and Sissy Miles was most improved. Lucy Oliver received the spirit award and Audrey Murray was tabbed as most valuable. In football, Parker Kizer was the team’s most valuable player and was honored as the region player of the year. Tyler Green was the defensive MVP and Ryan Brown received the Raider award. For volleyball, Lucy Oliver was most improved and Kaley Bell was the top offensive player. Tinsley Kern earned top defensive player honors. For track, the fastest runner award went to Jeremiah McCune and Olier received the Leadership award. Annie Oliver received the Positive Attitude award. In boys basketball, Tyler Green and Jordan Wren received Captain’s awards, and Chase Holder was most improved. Aarav Patel received the Raider award. The MVP in girls basketball was Milly Kate Prescott , who also was recognized as the region player of the year. Taylor Wright was most improved and Peyton Strickland received the Raider award. Jaxon Jones was the MVP for the still developing wrestling program. Jayson Krier received the Raider award. Steven Murray and Shade Snyder represent the school on the bass fishing team and is one of the top duos in the state. They won the SC high school challenge and earned the right to compete in the national tournament in late July. For softball, Kaylee Cuttino was the most valuable player. Prescott was the offensive MVP and Abbygail Burleson was the defensive MVP. Tinsley Kern was most improved and Taylor Wrigh t earned the Coaches award. In baseball, Tyler Green was named MVP and Murray received the Raider award. Mason Gree n was most improved and Jase Tirado received the Coaches award.

By David Shelton Senior Writer Charleston – Highlighted by state championship efforts in girls basketball and boys soccer, the athletic year at First Baptist was overall successful. Most of the Hurricane teams were highly competitive in conference play and took on tough schedules across the board. The school’s athletic department recently released superlative honors in spring sports, recognizing the top performers and leaders in each sport. In boys track, Brady Jackson was the most valuable performer in running events. Bates Walpole was the MVP in field events. Miles Jackson received the Hurricane award and Emory Be ntley received the Rookie award. Most improved performers were George Doyle in running events and Demarcus Vinson in field events. Ellie Blitch was MVP in running events in girls track while Hadley Burr was MVP in field events. Clara Grace Blitch received the Hurricane award and Elise Crumpton was most improved in running events. Amelia Blitch received the Rookie award and Addison Townsend was most improved in field events. Avin Harrison was tabbed as the MVP in varsity baseball while Thomas Martin and Garrett Huffman shared most improved honors. Bennett Bollinger earned the Cy Young award for pitching, and Henry Cline shared the Hurricane award with Landon Nutter. The MVP in boys golf was Tucker Mappus . Walker Jack Weaver was the most improved player and Abraham Edwards received the Hurricane award. Watts Tisdale was the MVP in boys soccer and Cal Oliver was most improved. Josh Laney earned the Hurricane award. Wells Griffin was named MVP of the girls soccer team with Ellison Cummings named most improved player. Caroline Morris earned the Hurricane award. Tate Kaplanis was the MVP in junior varsity boys soccer. Tucker Thomas was most improved and Wyatt Brown received the Hurricane award. In softball, Addison Townsend and Lula Mayo shared team MVP honors. Taber Stelling and Bailey Milleman shared the Hurricane award. Olivia Jessey and LG Cooper shared most improved honors.

By David Shelton Senior Writer Walterboro – As the new executive director of the Colleton County athletic department, Chris Myers believes heavily in recognizing the athletic achievements of the athletes in the school. Colleton County recently honored the top athletic performers from the 2025-26 school year at the year-end athletic banquet. In cross country, Michael Witkin was the MVP of the boys team while Kira Ralmer was the MVP of the girls team. Gabriel Idol was most improved runner and Samuel Witkin received the Cougar award. Trenton Bunch received the Sportsmanship award and Easton Grovenstein received the Perseverance award. Earning Academic awards from the girls program were Allyson Scott and Grady Nettles . In girls tennis, Mady Myers was the MVP and Kaylee Canady was most improved. Constance Keefer received the Sportsmanship award and Cassidy German received the Academic award. In volleyball, the best defender award went to Inaya Green while Trinity Drayton was best outside hitter. Zyon Salley was the best middle hitter and Brooklyn Holmes received the Cougar award. In Wrestling, Jordan LaPresta was named Most Outstanding and Charlie Hogan received the Rookie award. Most Improved was Bryce Wilson and Jonathan Warren received the Cougar award. On the girls team, Ero Randolph received the Cougar award and Kaylen Campbell was Most Outstanding. Alicia Guerra was Most Improved and Jaleesha Jenkins received the Cougar award. Justus Jamison received the offensive MVP in football while Jakell Jenkins received the defensive MVP honor. Galil Frazier received the Wide Receiver award and Chace Jones was the top offensive lineman. Ziair Holmes was the top defensive lineman and Okeefe Martin earned the top linebacker award. Rodney Wilder was the top defensive back and Xavion Bright received the Academic Award. For girls basketball, Keyarah Koger received the Cougar award and Trinity Drayton earned the Academic award. Xiomara Oxner was the team MVP while Drayton and Tierra Wilkins were co-MVP on defense. Galil Frazier was the top defender in boys basketball while Akai Martin was most improved. Michael Witkin and Jaqueas Martin were MVP’s. In baseball, Brenton Jirel earned the Silver Slugger award and Michael Witkin earned the Cy Young award for pitching and also the scholar award. Sam Witkin was the Rookie of the Year. Emerson Melgar earned the offensive leadership award in boys soccer while Aaden Castellanos earned the defensive leadership award. John Gallagher received the Team Leadership award. Julia Prentiss and Ellie Gallagher were co-MVP in girls soccer. Nikki Gabriel received the Academic award and Avery Gallagher was the Newcomer of the Year. In boys golf, Dalton Litchfield received the Academic award and Jacob Singleton received the Integrity award. In boys track, Khamren Wiggins was the MVP. Shawn Bouges received the award for field events while Hayvion Huggins was Most Outstanding. Lorenzo Breland was Most Improved and Gabriel Idol received the Academic award. Malachi Kirkman received the Cougar award. For girls track, Jakira Magwood was team MVP. Sharing the award foe field events MVP were Xaria Holmes and Kamalene Goodwine. Khylie Doctor was Most Improved and Zariana Gethers received the Academic award.